Bulk containers



April 1962 w. H. GOODING 3,028,896

BULK CONTAINERS Filed. Nov. 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

if: K26 36 "/4 34 7 INVENTOR. WILLA RD H. Goon/Na ATTORNEY April 10, 1962 w. H. GOODING BULK CONTAINERS Filed. Nov. 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. IV/LLARD H. GOOD/MG A TTOENEY Filed. NOV. 27, 1959 W. H. GOODING BULK CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I V// I 42 44 74 60 i v I I l 10 3 1 54 I 65 M 35 /Z/ 68 FIG. 11.

INVENTOR. W/LLARD H. Goon/Na United States Patent Ofifice 3,028,896 Patented Apr. '10, 1 962 3,028,896 BULK CONTAINERS Willard H. Gooding, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Western Velo & Cement Specialties Company, Los Angeles, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,612 9 Claims. (Cl. 1501) This invent-ion pertains to new and improved containers for handling comparatively large quantities of material. Containers of this type are generally constructed so as to be capable of holding from about one thousand to two thousand pounds or more of material, and, hence, are commonly termed bulk containers."

Cost considerations have made it extremely desirable to ship granular materials such as cement, sand, aggregate, various mineral ores, various refined chemicals, and the like in comparatively large bulk containers of the type indicated briefly above. A variety of problems have been encountered in providing satisfactory containers for such purposes.

Any container for use in shipping comparatively large quantities of material must be capable of adequately and satisfactorily protecting its contents from damage, such as may be caused by various environmental factors. It must also be of such a nature that it can be easily and conveniently handled and moved with existing equipment with a minimum of difficulty. A container of this type must also be relatively inexpensive; it should also be comparatively light in weight and be of a collapsible construction so as to be capable of being shipped to a point of use when empty at a comparatively nominal cost. Satisfactory containers for use in the bulk handling of material preferably should also include some sort of a base structure so as to prevent tipping of such containers during shipment. In order to facilitate loading and unloading, containers for bulk materials should incorporate as an integral part of them means serving to facilitate these operations. To be acceptable commercially such containers should also incorporate a locking mechanism of a type so that they may be easily locked in a closed condition and so that the contents of such containers may be easily discharged from them with a minimum amount of ditliculty.

A broad object of this invention is to provide new and improved bulk containers which are primarily designed to be used in shipping granular and various other materials. A related object of this invention is to provide bulk containers possessing commercially desired characteristics, qualities and features as briefly indicated in the preceding discussion. These and other objects of the present invention together with many specific advantages of it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from a detailed consideration of the remainder of this description, including the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. These drawings are primarily intended so as to 'clearly illustrate several presently preferred embodiments or forms of this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bulk containe of this invention ready to be filled with material;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of this bulk container;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of this container taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating the construction of the bottom part of this container;

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship of the tubular closures and tubular sack of this container to one another;

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views illustrating the construction of the supporting rings of this container;

lit.

I 8 of the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a modified bulk container of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at line'10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are perspective views of various parts of this modified container.

As an aid to understanding this invention it may be stated essentially summary form that it concerns bulk containers, each of which is formed so as to include a flexible tubular sack, the ends of which are secured to rigid supporting rings. Each of these supporting rings carries an end of a flexible tubular closure. The other ends of these tubular closures are secured to closure rings which are adapted to engage corresponding or adjacent supporting rings. Means are provided upon each of the supporting rings and each of the closure rings for securing adjacent supporting and closure rings to one another. This invention is best more fully explained by referring to the ac companying drawings. in the initial figures of these drawings there is shown a bulk container 19 of the present in ention which utilizes a flexible tubular sack 12 having open ends 14 secured to supporting rings 16, each of which is constructed as indicated in FIG. 7. The sack 12 is preferably formed of a flexible, watertight material such as rubber coated canvas or the equivalent. These rings 16 preferably have a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; this shape defines channels 17 extending around the exterior of these rings 16. Each of the rings 16 includes at least three equi-spaced pins or projections 44 which project from its interiors. At least the uppermost of the rings 16 also includes retaining eyes 20 or the equivalent which are adapted to be engaged by, or carried by conventional lifting or supporting equipment (not shown) during the use of the container 10.

The rings 16 also carry ends 21 of flexible tubular closures 22 of smaller diameter than the sack 12. The closures 22 are preferably formed of the same material as the sack 12; thus, they are preferably formed of waterproofed canvas or the equivalent. These closures 22 are also preferably, but not necessarily, secured togetherby a plurality of flexible reinforcing webs 24 in the nature of common straps whichextend between the rings 16 so as to connect them to one another. The webs 24 are shorter than the sack 12 so that when the rings 16 are secured in place this sack 12 putfs outward from the rings 16 :as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

Before the sack 12 and the closures 22 are secured to the rings 16 preferably they are overlapped or folded upon themselves at their ends 14 and 21 as indicated in' FIG. 5 of the-drawings. Before assembly it is preferred to attach the webs 24 directly to the adjacent ends 20 of the closures 22 as by stitching or the equivalent, although this is not absolutely necessary with the present invention. Further, it is preferable to stitch or similarly secure the overlapped or folded ends 14 and 21 of the closures 22 and the sack 12 in place as indicated in FIG. 5, al-.

though this is also not absolutely necessary with this invention.

In securing the closures 22 to therings 16 the ends 21 of the closures 22 are preferably passed through these rings and then are folded to a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration around the adjacent ends of these rings 16 so as to terminate by extending completely through and against the interiors of channels 17 formed in these rings. The ends 14 of the sack 12 are then located Within these channels 17 by folding the pottions of the sack 12 adjacent tothese rings 16. The sack 12 and the closures 22 are then secured in place by'securing a retainer 26 within the channels 17 so as to force these members against the bottom walls of these channels.

A particularly suitable retainer 26 is indicated in FIG. This retainer 26 consists of three curved sections 28, each of which is provided with perforate flanged ends 30, designed to be located immediately adjacent to corresponding ends of the next adjacent section. Bolts 32 are used to secure the ends 30 of the sections 28 against one another so as to draw up these sections constituting the complete retainer 26 within the channels 17 in order to firmly clamp the sack 12 and the closures 22 in the locations shown. Preferably the sections 28 of the retainers 26 are formed so as to have approximately the same shape as the interiors of the channels 17 so as to fit tightly within these channels in order to achieve as much clamping or holding action as conveniently possible. When the container 10 is constructed in this manner, the overlapped ends 14 and 21 of the sack 12 and the closures 22, respectively, are held by the rings 16 so as to provide extra thicknesses of fabric serving to reinforce against Wear.

The ends 33 of the closures 22 remote from the rings 16 are overlapped or folded over in a similar manner to the ends 14 and 21 and are designed for similar reinforcement against wear with respect to closure rings 34 attached to them. Each of these closure rings 34 is of about the same external diameter as the internal diameter of the corresponding or adjacent ring 16 so as to be capable of fitting tightly within this corresponding ring. Further, each of the closure rings 34 is preferably formed of inner and outer cylindrical rings 36 and 38, respectively, which rings are adapted to be secured together through the use of rivets 44 or the equivalents in such a manner that the ends 33 of the closures 22 remote from the rings 16 are secured in place between them so that any material or substantial movement of these closures 22 with respect to the closure rings 34 is prevented.

The outer ring 38 of each of the closure rings 34 preferably is provided with a bayonet joint type of slot 42 having a configuration such as is commonly referred to as a dog-leg shape. These slots 42 are spaced equidistant from one another around the exteriors of the rings 34 and lead from the ends of these rings 34 adjacent to the corresponding rings 16. The slots 42 are adapted to receive small pins 44 forming parts of a bayonet type of connection, the other parts of which are constituted by the slots 42. The pins 44 are attached to the rings 16 so as to extend radially toward their interiors. During the use of the complete container 10 these pins 44 engage the slots 42 so as to hold the closure rings 34 with respect to the rings 16. Thus, both the pins 44 and the slots 42 serve as co-acting parts of what may be considered as locking or holding means.

In using the bulk container 10 it is preferred to first close the one of the ends 14 of the sack 12 which is intended to be used as a bottom for this container. This is done by twisting the closure 22 extending from this end 14 so as to form a twist type of knot 46. Because of the many folds of material in such a knot, the knots 46 are substantially watertight. After this knot has been created the closure ring 34 associated with it may be slid and then twisted within the adjacent ring 16 so that the pins 44 on this ring slide within and engage the slots 42 pposite them. At this point the container is adapted to be used as by being filled with a material.

During such a filling operation the eyes are preferably but not necessarily supported using conventional equipment (not shown). Further, the uppermost closure 22 is preferably extended as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 around a discharge spout or the like being used to fill the container so as to act as a loading chute. After the container 10 has been filled with a desired quantity of material this uppermost closure 22 may be closed in a similar manner to the manner in which the other closure 22 in this container was closed.

At this point the complete bulk container 10 is ready to be transported to where it is desired to use the material in it. During such movement the eyes 20 are, of course, preferably used in lifting the container 10 and in moving it from one supporting surface to another as, for example, in lifting and moving it from a loading dock onto a railroad car or the like. Whenever the container 10 is deposited upon a supporting surface the lowermost ring 16 used with this container acts essentially as a base serving to prevent the container from being easily tipped over or from shifting.

When it is desired to discharge material transported in the container 10, this container is lifted to an elevated location above a bin or receptacle or the like designed to receive such material through. At this point the lowermost closure ring 34 may he twisted slightly so as to allow the weight of the material to push pins 44 out of the slots 42 in the ring 34. After these pins have been released from these slots the weight of the material will tend to untwist the lowermost closure 22, opening the bottom of the sack 12 so material can fall out of it. During the time when this lowermost closure 22 is being opened it may be shifted around slightly by manual manipulation, and the speed at which it is opened may be regulated in the same manner. As a consequence of this. material from the container 10 may be easily directed to a desired locale with a nominal or minimum amount of difliculty. After the bulk container It has been emptied in this manner it may be easily collapsed for shipment back to a point of origin, or it may be used to convey other materials for immediate shipment.

In FIG. 9 of the drawings there is shown a part of a modified bulk container 58 of the present invention which is essentially similar to the bulk container 16 proviousiy described. For convenience of description those parts of the container 50 which are identical or substantially similar to corresponding parts of the bulk container 10 are not separately described herein, and are designated both in the following description and on the drawings by the primes of the numerals previously employed or are not indicated. The container it} employs substantially identical structures at both of its ends.

The container 59 utilizes support rings 52 which correspond to the rings 16 previously described. As indicated in FIG. 9, the rings 52 are of a generally L-shapcd cross-sectional configuration and include circular walls 54 to which there are attached peripheral flanges 56. in the complete container 50 two of these rings 52 are, of course, employed. They are disposed so that the flanges 56 are located so as to directly face one another.

These rings 52 carry a retainer ring 58 corresponding to the rings 26 previously described. These rings 58 have an internal diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the Walls 54. The retainer rings 53 are split and are provided with perforate terminal flanges 69 adapted to be secured together by means of a bolt 62. These bolts are used so as to hold the rings 58 against the ends 14 of the sack 12 and against ends 2-1 of the closures 22' so as to hold these ends in place.

The other ends 33' of the closures 22' are secured by means of a small circular band 64 and screws 65 or the equivalents to the interiors of closure rings 66, each of which has an internal wall 68 and an end flange 70. The flanges 70 on the rings 66 carry Washers 72 of rubber or other equivalent sealing material. These flanges 79 are disposed so that when the closure rings 58 are located as indicated in FIG. 9 of the drawings the washers 72 bear against the walls 54 so as to form a seal therewith.

The closure rings 66 are adapted to he held in position by means of pins 44 extending from them into slots 42' formed in the walls 54. These pins 44 are. for manufacturing and assembly reasons, preferably attached by welding or equivalent techniques to radial cross bars 74 located within the closure rings 66. These cross bars 74 are preferably secured to one another and to the closure rings 66 by welding or similar procedures.

The use of the bulk container St is essentially similar to the use of the bulk container 10 previously described in detail. For this reason it is considered unnecessary to describe this use specifically in this specification. In the container 50 the pins 44' used are located on the exterior of the path in which material is moved during the utilization of this container. Because of this these pins 44' are not apt to be damaged by contact with such material. Also, with the container 50 the cross bars 74 may be easily engaged so as to twist the closure rings as in use. Although it is not preferred, these bars 74 may be utilized so as to support the entire container 50.

It will be realized that a variety of difierently constructed and ditferently appearing containers may be designed and built utilizing the features of this invention embodied in the containers 1i) and 5% through the use of conventional design ability. As an example of this, the webs 24 or 24 can be omitted from containers as herein described, although this is not preferred because when they are omitted their function is also omitted. Similarly, rigid rods or the like can be substituted for them, although this also is not preferred since such rods hinder the collapsibility of the containers of this invention. If desired, steel cables or the like may, however, be substituted for these webs. Because of the fact that structures of this invention are susceptible to such modifications this invention is to be considered as being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bulk container which includes: a tubular, flexible bag having ends; a support ring secured to each of sad ends or" said bag, said support rings being of smaller diameter than the diameter of said bag; support means attached to said rings so as to extend between said support rings within the interior of said bag, said support means being shorter than said bag; and closure means for closing the interiors of said support rings at the ends of said bag.

2. A bulk container as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means are elongated strips of flexible material and wherein said strips are spaced equidistant from one another around said support rings.

3. A bulk container which includes: a tubular flexible bag having ends; a support ring secured to each of said ends of said bag, said support rings being of smaller diameter than the diameter of said bag, said bag being gath ered adjacent to said support rings so as to be reduced to the diameters of said support rings at said ends; a tubular flexible closure secured to each of said support rings so as to extend therefrom and from said bag, each of said closures having an end located remote from said support rings, said closures providing access into the interior of said bag through said support rings; a closure ring secured to the end of each of said closure remote from said support rings; and means formed on said closure rings and said support rings for securing said closure rings with respect to said support rings and support means connecting said support rings and extending through said bag, said support means being shorter than said bag.

4. A bulk container as defined in claim 3 wherein said means comprise pin means located on one of said rings so as to extend therefrom and bayonet slots located on the other of said rings, said pins being adapted to fit within said bayonet slots, whereby said closures may be twisted and said closure rings may be secured to said support rings so as to close the ends of said bag to said support rings.

5. A bulk container as defined in claim 3 wherein said support means comprise flexible strips of material extending between said support rings, said strips of material being equally spaced from one another.

6. A bulk container as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said support rings includes a channel formed on. the exterior thereof, and wherein said ends of said bag and ends of said closures are located within said channels, and including means for holding said bag and said closure bearing against said bag and one of said closures within each of said channels.

7. In a container, a closure which includes:

an outer ring having a channel formed on the exterior thereof;

a flexible tubular closure member and a flexible bag,

an end of said bag and an end of said closure member located within said channel; I

means for holding said end of said bag and said closure within said channel;

a closure ring secured to the extremity of said closure member remote from said outer ring, said closure ring being capable of being fitted within said outer ring;

means formed on said closure ring and said outer ring thereof;

a flexible tubular bag having an end located within said channel;

a flexible tubular closure member having ends, one end of said closure member being located within said channel between said end of said bag and said channel, said closure member extending from said outer ring in the same direction as said bag and being bent so as to extend back through the interior of said outer ring; end structure means for holding said end of said bag and said end of said closure within said channel;

a closure ring secured to the extremity of said closure member remote from said outer ring, said closure member being capable of being fitted within said outer ring; and

co-acting means for securing said outer ring and said closure ring to one another when said closure ring is located within said outer ring, said means being located on the surfaces of said rings which are located adjacent to one another when said rings are secured to one another whereby said closure member may be twisted so as to form a knot and said closure ring may be moved into engagement with said outer ring so as to be held thereby.

9. A bulk container which includes:

a tubular, flexible bag having ends, a support ring secured to each of said ends of said bag, said support rings being of smaller diameter thanthe diameter of said bag, flexible elongated strips of material attached to said rings so as to extend between said support rings within the interior of said bag, said strips being spaced equidistant from one another around said support rings and being shorter than said bag; and

means for closing the interiors of said support rings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,431,918 Arthur Oct. 17, 1922 1,914,370 Hutchison June 20, 1933 2,314,639 West et a1 Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 65,639 Switzerland June 2, 1913 

